Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: science

  • On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres—Answers

    Here are the answers to my Walter posted questions.

    Diagram of the Solar System from Copernicus’ manuscript of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, February 19th.

    One

    In what century was Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus born?

    Answer: 15th century.

    Born in 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus, a Renaissance polymath, formulated a heliocentric model of the universe, placing the Sun at its centre. His work, published in De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) triggered the Copernican Revolution and significantly contributed to the Scientific Revolution.

    Two

    In 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began when US Marines invaded the Japanese volcanic island of Iwo Jima.  What does the name Iwo Jima mean in English?

    Answer: Sulfur Island.

    Iwo Jima, a volcanic island in the Ogasawara Archipelago, is administered by Tokyo. It was the site of a major WWII battle between Japan and the US, resulting in over 20,000 casualties on each side. Today, the island has no permanent inhabitants except for a Self-Defence Force base and is owned by a combination of individuals, the village, and the Japanese government.

    Three

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was born in 1960 and was known as Prince Andrew. He would later also be known as the Duke of York. For the first 22 years of his life, he was second in the line of succession to the British throne, who, born in 1982, replaced him as second in the line of succession?

    Answer: Prince William (The eldest son of Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and Diana, Princess of Wales).

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced controversy due to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. He denied allegations of sexual abuse but settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre in 2022. In 2025, Charles III removed Andrew’s royal styles and honours, restricted his titles, and relocated him to private accommodation.

    Four

    Born in 1924, this actor was a decorated World War II veteran, where he served in the U.S. Marines. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for Cat Ballou (1965) where he played both Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn. He appeared in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and Gorky Park (1983). He died in 1987. Who is this actor?

    Answer: Lee Marvin.

    Marvin, an American actor known for his tough-guy roles, received an Academy Award for his performance in Cat Ballou. He was also a decorated World War II veteran and a descendant of the Lee family of Virginia.

    Five

    In 1913, Pedro Lascuráin assumed the role of President of Mexico. What connects the number 45 to his presidency? Was it

    • 45 marriages (he was married 45 times during his presidency)
    • 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)
    • 45 murders (he was connected to 45 murders during his presidency)

    Answer: 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)

    During the Ten Tragic Days coup, Victoriano Huerta captured President Madero and convinced him to resign. Lascuráin, next in line, briefly assumed the presidency before appointing Huerta as his successor, making Lascuráin’s presidency the shortest in history of not only Mexico but the world.

  • On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres

    Diagram of the Solar System from Copernicus’ manuscript of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of today’s questions relate to the date, February 19th.

    One

    In what century was Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus born?

    Two

    In 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began when US Marines invaded the Japanese volcanic island of Iwo Jima.  What does the name Iwo Jima mean in English?

    Three

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was born in 1960 and was known as Prince Andrew. He would later also be known as the Duke of York. For the first 22 years of his life, he was second in the line of succession to the British throne, who, born in 1982, replaced him as second in the line of succession?

    Four

    Born in 1924, this actor was a decorated World War II veteran, where he served in the U.S. Marines. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for Cat Ballou (1965) where he played both Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn. He appeared in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and Gorky Park (1983). He died in 1987. Who is this actor?

    Five

    In 1913, Pedro Lascuráin assumed the role of President of Mexico. What connects the number 45 to his presidency? Was it

    • 45 marriages (he was married 45 times during his presidency)
    • 45 minutes (he was in office for only 45 minutes)
    • 45 murders (he was connected to 45 murders during his presidency)

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Truth Will Out II—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Today’s questions aren’t about dates; they simply ask whether something is true or false.

    Orville Wright beginning the first successful controlled flight in history, at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 1903.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    Is it true or false that the first controlled and sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft was made by Wilbur Wright?

    Answer: False.

    The first flight was made by Orville Wright at 10:35 am on 17 December 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, United States. The flight was captured in the above photograph. The duration of the flight was 120 feet (37 m) in 12 seconds at a speed of 6.8 mph (10.9 km/h). By noon that day, they had made four flights, and on the last, Wilbur flew 852 feet.

    Two

    Is it true or false that a gnu is another name for a water buffalo?

    Answer: False.

    A gnu is another name for a wildebeest. Wildebeest are antelopes native to Eastern and Southern Africa. There are two species: the black wildebeest and the blue wildebeest, which differ in colour and horn orientation. Wildebeest are abundant in East Africa, often migrating in herds with zebras for protection against predators.

    Three

    Is it true or false that Marc Antony, Roman general and politician, lived in the first century CE?

    Answer: False.

    Born in 83 BCE, Marc Antony died at the age of 53 in August 30 BCE. Mark Antony, a Roman general and triumvir, was defeated by Octavian in the final civil war that ended the Roman Republic. He allied with Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and their relationship, along with his perceived favour towards Greek culture, contributed to his downfall. Despite his abilities as a leader and general ultimately lost the battle of Actium, leading to his and Cleopatra’s suicides.

    Four

    Is it true or false that Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa?

    Answer: True.

    Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, shares borders with South Africa and Mozambique. Formerly known as Swaziland, it’s a developing nation with a lower-middle income economy. Agriculture and manufacturing are its primary industries. Eswatini is an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III since 1986 and faces significant health challenges, including a high HIV/AIDS prevalence.

    Five

    Is it true or false that nephology, a term from the late 19th century, relates to the study of the ground in relation to gold prospecting?

    Answer: False.

    Nephology, a rare term from the late 19th century derived from the Greek word ‘nephos’ meaning ‘cloud’ and the suffix ‘-logy’, refers to the study or contemplation of clouds. A nephoscope, an instrument from the 19th century, was used to measure cloud altitude, direction, and velocity through transit-time measurement, distinguishing it from a nephometer, which measures cloudiness.

  • The Truth Will Out II

    Today’s questions aren’t about dates; they simply ask whether something is true or false.

    The beginning the first successful controlled flight in history, at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 1903.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    Is it true or false that the first controlled and sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft was made by Wilbur Wright?

    Two

    Is it true or false that a gnu is another name for a water buffalo?

    Three

    Is it true or false that Marc Antony, Roman general and politician, lived in the first century CE?

    Four

    Is it true or false that Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa?

    Five

    Is it true or false that nephology, a term from the late 19th century, relates to the study of the ground in relation to gold prospecting?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • When—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions i posted earlier.

    These questions all relate to today’s date, February 5th. Each question has a year or decade as the first part of the answer, followed by a supplementary question.


    Cartoon depicting Leopold II and other imperial powers at the Berlin Conference of 1884.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In what decade did a European monarch establish the Congo Free State in West Africa? Who was the monarch, and what was the European country?

    Answer: 1880s; Leopold II and Belgium

    Belgian King Leopold II established the Congo Free State in 1885, seizing the land as his personal possession. His brutal reign, characterised by forced labour and widespread atrocities, led to international condemnation and the eventual transfer of control to Belgium in 1908.

    Two

    On this day in what year did Apollo 14 land on the Moon, and name any one of the three astronauts who flew on that mission or all three if you can?

    Answer: 1971; Alan B. Shepard Jr., Stuart A. Roosa or Edgar D. Mitchell

    Apollo 14, the third lunar landing, successfully landed in the Fra Mauro formation after overcoming malfunctions. Shepard and Mitchell collected Moon rocks and deployed experiments, while Roosa orbited the Moon.

    Three

    On this day, the New Hermitage Museum opened in Russia. In what decade did it open, and what—at that time—was the name of the city it is located in?

    Answer: 1850s; Saint Petersburg

    The New Hermitage Museum, part of the larger Hermitage Museum complex in St. Petersburg, was reconstructed between 1840 and 1852 and opened to the public in 1852. The museum is housed within five interconnected buildings, including the Winter Palace and the Small, Old and New Hermitages. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and named St. Petersburg, which it stayed until 1914 when it became Petrograd to reflect Russian patriotism during World War I by avoiding the German-sounding ‘Petersburg’. In 1924, the name changed to Leningrad in honour of Vladimir Lenin after his death, which it was until 1991 when the city’s population voted to return to the original name.

    Four

    United Artists, the American film production company, was founded on this day in what decade? Secondly, name any two of the four founders?

    Answer: 1910s; Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith.

    United Artists, founded in 1919, was established to allow actors more control over their own affairs. It was acquired by MGM in 1981 and later revived as United Artists Releasing in 2019. However, Amazon, MGM’s parent company, folded UAR into MGM in 2023. On 26 July 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced the company’s revival.

    Five

    The creation of the first synthetic plastic was announced on this date. In what decade was this announcement made, and what was the name of this synthetic plastic?

    Answer: 1900s; Bakelite

    Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian chemist, invented Velox photographic paper and Bakelite, a versatile plastic, earning him the title ‘The Father of the Plastics Industry’. Bakelite, developed in 1907, became a commercial success due to its mouldability, heat resistance, and electrical nonconductivity. Its creation revolutionised the chemical industry and inspired the development of other synthetic plastics.

  • When

    These questions all relate to today’s date, February 5th. Each question has a year or decade as the first part of the answer, followed by a supplementary question.

    Contemporary cartoon.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In what decade did a European monarch establish the Congo Free State in West Africa? Who was the monarch, and what was the European country?

    Two

    On this day in what year did Apollo 14 land on the Moon, and name any one of the three astronauts who flew on that mission or all three if you can?

    Three

    On this day, the New Hermitage Museum opened in Russia. In what decade did it open, and what—at that time—was the name of the city it is located in?

    Four

    United Artists, the American film production company, was founded on this day in what decade? Secondly, name any two of the four founders?

    Five

    The creation of the first synthetic plastic was announced on this date. In what decade was this announcement made, and what was the name of this synthetic plastic?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Then Peace will Guide the Planets—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 23rd.

    Image Astrology-Online

    One

    Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?

    Answer: Age of Aquarius

    When the moon is in the Seventh House

    And Jupiter aligns with Mars

    Then peace will guide the planets

    And love will steer the stars

    — Lyricfind

    Two

    In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?

    Answer: Finland

    Turku, Finland’s oldest city, is the regional capital of Southwest Finland. With a population of approximately 207,000, it is the country’s third-most populous urban area. Turku, a bilingual municipality, is a significant business and cultural centre, known for its rich history, vibrant food scene, and as a major port city.

    Three

    In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?

    Answer: Frisbee

    A frisbee, also known as a flying disc, is a gliding toy used for recreational and competitive throwing and catching. It is typically made of plastic and has a pronounced lip, allowing it to fly with reduced drag and increased lift.

    Four

    In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?

    Answer: Netscape Communications Corporation

    Netscape announced its Communicator browser software would be free and open-source in 1998, leading to the creation of the Mozilla project. Initially a technology provider, Mozilla later focused on developing independent applications like Firefox and Thunderbird, and expanded into mobile platforms and other projects.

    Five

    In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?

    Answer: Alex Haley

    Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The series, which aired on ABC, received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including nine Primetime Emmy Awards. It was followed by a sequel, Roots: The Next Generations, and a remake commissioned by the History Channel in 2016.

  • Then Peace will Guide the Planets

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 23rd.

    Image Astrology-Online

    One

    Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?

    Two

    In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?

    Three

    In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?

    Four

    In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?

    Five

    In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers tomorrow.

  • Communicator—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 9th.

    First generation iPhone.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What year was the first iPhone released?

    1. 2007
    2. 2008
    3. 2009

    Answer: 1. 2007

    iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, and went on sale later that year. It transformed the phone into a handheld computer, fusing communication, entertainment and internet access. Since its release, it has evolved with improved cameras, faster processors, and new features like face recognition.

    Two

    In 1982, Catherine, princess of Wales was born. What was her maiden surname?

    1. Middleditch
    2. Middlesmyth
    3. Middleton

    Answer: 3. Middleton

    Catherine, Princess of Wales, born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, is the consort of Prince William, heir apparent to the British throne. She became Princess of Wales in 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Catherine is known for her warmth and relatability, and is actively involved in various charities, particularly those focused on children and mental health.

    Three

    Which traditional American folk song, recorded by Joan Baez on her 1960 debut album, became one of her signature performances and helped spark the 1960s folk revival?

    1. This Land Is Your Land
    2. Silver Dagger
    3. John Henry

    Answer: 2. Silver Dagger

    Joan Baez was born this day in 1941. Her first album, Joan Baez (1960), was recorded in just a few days and featured only her voice and acoustic guitar. Despite its simplicity, it became a landmark folk record and influenced countless artists—including a young Bob Dylan—by bringing traditional ballads like Silver Dagger to a wide, modern audience.

    Four

    In 1816, Humphrey Davy tested what device at Hebburn Colliery in England?

    1. Safety fuse
    2. Safety helmet
    3. Safety lamp

    Answer: 3. Safety lamp

    The Davy lamp, invented in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy, is a safety lamp used in flammable atmospheres, particularly coal mines. It consists of a wick lamp enclosed in a mesh screen, acting as a flame arrestor to prevent explosions. Despite its initial promise, the Davy lamp’s unreliability and the false sense of security it provided contributed to an increase in mine accidents, highlighting the need for improved ventilation and safer practises.

    Five

    Born in 1913, Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. During his presidency Nixon became associated with what group of tradesmen?

    1. Carpenters
    2. Mechanics
    3. Plumbers

    Answer: 3. Plumbers

    The Watergate Plumbers, a covert group formed during Richard Nixon’s presidency, aimed to suppress leaks of classified information, especially the Pentagon Papers. Their most notorious involvement was the Watergate break-in, which ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation.

  • Communicator

    These questions all relate to today’s date, January 9th.

    First generation iPhone.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What year was the first iPhone released?

    1. 2007
    2. 2008
    3. 2009

    Two

    In 1982, Catherine, princess of Wales was born. What was her maiden surname?

    1. Middleditch
    2. Middlesmyth
    3. Middleton

    Three

    Which traditional American folk song, recorded by Joan Baez on her 1960 debut album, became one of her signature performances and helped spark the 1960s folk revival?

    1. This Land Is Your Land
    2. Silver Dagger
    3. John Henry

    Four

    In 1816, Humphrey Davy tested what device at Hebburn Colliery in England?

    1. Safety fuse
    2. Safety helmet
    3. Safety lamp

    Five

    Born in 1913, Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. During his presidency Nixon became associated with what group of tradesmen?

    1. Carpenters
    2. Mechanics
    3. Plumbers

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.